House Passes Compromise FISA Bill

The House today approved a bill updating FISA law and granting qualified immunity to telecom companies that aided the Bush administration in warrantless wiretapping. A majority of Democrats opposed the bill, which passed 293-129. Nancy Pelosi supported the measure despite serious reservations because it refutes the administration's argument about "inherent authority," the Washington Post reports.

"There is no inherent authority of the president to do whatever he wants," said the House Speaker. "This is a democracy." (More House of Representatives stories.)